The University of La Salette, Inc. (ULS) participated in the 2026 ASEAN Month Celebration in Region II, held on August 25 in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, with the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.”
Representing ULS during the celebration were Madeilyn B. Estacio, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Rouel Ramirez, DPA, Director of External Affairs and International Relations; and selected faculty members and students.
ULS joined the Timor-Leste Team together with Cagayan Valley Computer and Information Technology College, La Salette of Roxas College, Northern Cagayan Colleges, Northeastern College, Isabela College of Arts and Technology, Metropolitan College of Science and Technology, and Northeast Luzon Adventist College. The institutions collaborated in representing Timor-Leste through the Cultural Cuisine Exhibition, booth exhibition, and the Search for ASEAN Muse and Prince.
The event also included the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the Building Resilience and Innovation in Developing Global Engagement (BRIDGE) Initiative and the “Adopt an Institution” Framework for Internationalization. Under the agreement, ULS was partnered with the University of Cagayan Valley to support internationalization and institutional collaboration initiatives.
During lunch, participating higher education institutions showcased their assigned ASEAN member states through the ASEAN Cultural Cuisine Exhibition, featuring traditional food and beverages. As part of the Timor-Leste Team, Salettinian students namely Prince Angelo M. Agustin, Cesar Jr. M. Cordero, Izhelle Ann D. Corpuz, and Nikka R. Valencia, under the mentorship of Ivy C. Anquillano, participated in the “Flavor of ASEAN” Cultural Cuisine Exhibit, presenting Timorese cuisine and cultural traditions.
In the afternoon, students competed in the Search for ASEAN Muse and Prince and performed folk dances representing various ASEAN countries. As part of the Timor-Leste Team, Sofia Almazan of ULS was named Ms. ASEAN Region II, while Thyrone Abulencia was named First Runner-Up in the Mr. ASEAN Region II competition. Both candidates were coached by Juli Marie Galicia, MAEd.
The event served as a venue for participating institutions to discuss internationalization initiatives, and regional collaboration in higher education.
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Written and photos by Lander Acob
